OLA & Uber’s New Bike Taxi Service Deemed Illegal By The RTA

OLA, Uber and Hey Bob, in what could be a lucrative business, have launched their bike taxi services in Bangalore.In a city where traffic congestion is a major problem, a cheaper and more convenient mode of transport could help.

Let’s take a look at the pricing the new two wheeler taxi services:

OLA, India’s largest cab aggregator is charging Rs 2 per km with a minimum fare of Rs 30.

Uber launched uberMOTO with rates starting at Rs 15, with Rs.3 per km and Rs 1 per minute as commutation charges

Hey Bob is charging Rs.5 per km, with a minimum fare of Rs. 10.

The services are similar to booking a cab, where you can book the service via app by entering your pickup location and requesting the ride.The name, photo and the details of the Motorbike will sent to you immediately after booking. There are also other bike taxi services in Bangalore such as Rapido, M-Taxi, Bikxie, among others, which offer a similar services and perhaps could be looking at the next big business.

The Concern

No doubt, bike taxi services can solve a lot of problems, yet the question still remains. How comfortable can a pillion

rider be sitting behind a complete stranger? Especially when the passenger is a female.

The controversy

Times of India on Saturday reported that the Bangalore transport department have deemed OLA and Uber’s bike taxi illegal. According to the report, two companies have not obtained permit or licence to run such a service and has advised people to not to use it. Deccan Herald also reported that transport department officials have started seizing such vehicles from the roads.Transport vehicles need a separate licence and permit and the companies have not obtained them from the transport department, the report added.

Transport Commissioner Ramegowda in a press release has said “If these vehicles are involved in any accident, the users will not be eligible for insurance.”